The Prelude
“God has given us two hands – one to receive with and the other to give with. We are not a cistern for hoarding; we are channels made for giving. ” Billy Graham.
The Welcome, News and Announcements
The Introit
The Call to Worship Elspeth Peterson
One: Our lives, our families and friends — time, talents and material possessions: we give our thanks to you, Gracious God.
All: All we have comes from you, blessed God.
One: Help us to remember this. Help us on our spiritual journey, as we grow and change,
All: All we have comes from you, blessed God. Renew our relationship with you and all people.
One: Give us the strength and courage to follow Jesus.
All: Help us to have the moral courage to worship you in Spirit and in truth.
The Unison Prayer of Confession
Lord, everywhere we look we see the imprint of your creative love. The wondrous works of nature show your majesty. As we gather today to celebrate your love and creation, we confess we are easily distracted and unable to keep clear focus of your faithful stewardship. In so doing, we become destroyers and not co-stewards. We watch for your acts of healing, listen for your words of assurance, wonder how to prepare from deep within and long without. Amen.
Hymn #716, “God Whose Giving Knows No Ending” (Please listen but do not sing) God, whose giving knows no ending, from your rich and endless store: nature’s wonder, Jesus’ wisdom, costly cross, grave’s shattered door, gifted by you, we turn to you, offering up ourselves in praise; thankful song shall rise forever, gracious donor of our days. Treasure, too, you have entrusted, gain through powers your grace conferred; ours to use for home and kindred, and to spread the Gospel Word. Open wide our hands in sharing, as we heed Christ’s ageless call, healing, teaching, and reclaiming, serving you by loving all.
The Hebrew Scripture Reading A Psalm of David Elspeth Peterson
65 1-2 Silence is praise to you,
Zion-dwelling God,
And also obedience.
You hear the prayer in it all.
2-8 We all arrive at your doorstep sooner
or later, loaded with guilt,
Our sins too much for us—
but you get rid of them once and for all.
Blessed are the chosen! Blessed the guest
at home in your place!
We expect our fill of good things
in your house, your heavenly manse.
All your salvation wonders
are on display in your trophy room.
Earth-Tamer, Ocean-Pourer,
Mountain-Maker, Hill-Dresser,
Muzzler of sea storm and wave crash,
of mobs in noisy riot—
Far and wide they’ll come to a stop,
they’ll stare in awe, in wonder.
Dawn and dusk take turns
calling, “Come and worship.”
9-13 Oh, visit the earth,
ask her to join the dance!
Deck her out in spring showers,
fill the God-River with living water.
Paint the wheat fields golden.
Creation was made for this!
Drench the plowed fields,
soak the dirt clods
With rainfall as harrow and rake
bring her to blossom and fruit.
Snow-crown the peaks with splendor,
scatter rose petals down your paths,
All through the wild meadows, rose petals.
Set the hills to dancing,
Dress the canyon walls with live sheep,
a drape of flax across the valleys.
Let them shout, and shout, and shout!
Oh, oh, let them sing!
The Minute for Finance Steve Little
The New Testament Lessons
“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.” Matthew 5:6
The Hymn #43, “On Eagles Wings”
You who dwell in the shelter of the Lord
Who abide in His shadow for life
Say to the Lord
“My refuge, my rock in whom I trust!”
And He will raise you up on eagles’ wings
Bear you on the breath of dawn
Make you to shine like the sun
And hold you in the palm of His hand.
The snare of the fowler will never capture you
And famine will bring you no fear
Under His wings your refuge
His faithfulness your shield.
And He will raise you up on eagles’ wings
Bear you on the breath of dawn
Make you to shine like the sun
And hold you in the palm of His hand.
You need not fear the terror of the night
Nor the arrow that flies by day
Though thousands fall about you
Near you it shall not come.
And He will raise you up on eagles’ wings
Bear you on the breath of dawn
Make you to shine like the sun
And hold you in the palm of His hand.
For to His angels He’s given a command
To guard you in all of your ways
Upon their hands they will bear you up
Lest you dash your foot against a stone.
And He will raise you up on eagles’ wings
Bear you on the breath of dawn
Make you to shine like the sun
And hold you in the palm of His hand…
We Proclaim God’s Word
Prayer of Illumination
Fill our lamps with the energy of prayer that the light of Inner Love will shine for our pathways now and in the week ahead. We ask this in Jesus’ name. Amen.
Sermon
Music for Meditation
We Respond to God’s Word
The Offertory
The Offertory Anthem
The Doxology
The Unison Prayer of Dedication
You have trusted us with abundance, Gracious Provider, and we are grateful. You have comforted and delivered us in times of trouble, and for this we pour out our thanks. When our lamps have gone out, you have not condemned us but have sent fresh vision and energy. We bring ourselves with our gifts, asking you to help us use all we have in the best possible ways. Amen.
The Joys and Concerns
The Silent, Intercessory and the Lord’s Prayer
...Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in Heaven. Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen
We Go Forth in God’s Name
The Charge and Benediction
The Sending Hymn “Go Now in Peace”
Go now in peace. Never be afraid.
God will go with you each hour of every day.
Go now in faith, steadfast, strong and true.
Know He will guide you in all you do.
Go now in love, and show you believe.
Reach out to others so all the world can see.
God will be there watching from above.
Go now in peace, in faith, and in love.
Postlude
*Attributions
Call to Worship adapted and reprinted from Author Rev. F. Schaefer, website desperatepreacher.com; Invocation adapted and reprinted from Ministry Matters website; Unison Prayer of Dedication reprinted from Fresh Winds of the Spirit, Book 2 by Lavon Bayler.
Many thanks to our Liturgists, Elspeth Peterson and Stephen Little.
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